TAVISTOCK received ‘fantastic’ news this week — it has regained its status as a Fairtrade town.

After months of hard work by a small committee, the Tavistock Fairtrade Steering Group was delighted to receive confirmation that the town’s Fairtrade status had been renewed.

Tavistock was first registered as a Fairtrade town in 2005, one of the first in Devon, but after a few key original group members moved away, it was left unrenewed.

In an email to the steering group, the co-ordinator of Fairtrade Towns said: ‘It’s been fantastic to hear about everything you have achieved in the past few months.

‘Your team has no doubt been very busy and we appreciate the hard work you have put in.

‘While more work is needed to re-establish the local campaign, you have made significant achievements in a short time and your plans for the future are robust.’

Rob Weston, convener of the Tavistock Fairtrade Steering Group, was delighted with the confirmation of the status.

He said: ‘This is fantastic news. Tavistock is a town that really cares about ethical living, from environmental issues to working conditions for farmers in some of the poorest countries of the world.

‘Caring for one another and for our neighbours, both here and around the world, is so important in a world that so often seems dominated by selfish, self-centred attitudes.

‘We want to encourage every business, cafe and restaurant and every consumer in the town to think about the purchases they make, day by day, because we all have the power to change lives, to improve lives for farmers, pickers, miners and craftspeople across the globe.

‘As a country we spend millions of pounds supporting other countries with international development donations, which is important, but if our trading systems were fairer then we could help lift people out of poverty with dignity.

‘In my experience, most people just want a level playing field rather than receiving charity,’ added the group’s convener.